Dan Aykroyd to MC the New York State Blues Fest Juy 11 in Syracuse's Clinton Square

A funny thing happened as board president David Katleski was getting ready to announce the two-stage lineup for the 18th edition of the New York State Blues Festival today at Empire Brewing Company in Syracuse's Armory Square.

Katleski received confirmation that comedian/actor/musician Dan Aykroyd will be in Syracuse on July 11 to serve as master of ceremonies and play blues licks throughout the first of the free-admission event's two-day lineup in Clinton Square.

Aykroyd was an original Blues Brother, playing alongside the late John Belushi in the hit film "The Blues Brothers.

Katleski and fest executive director Bernie Clarke together announced the two-stage lineup for the festival. For the 18th edition of the event, the fest will present acts with ties to New York state.

"We're trying to keep the blues alive in New York state, in Central New York, in Syracuse," Katleski said of the festival's mission. "I've never been so excited about the direction as what we're taking this year."

Clarke said he kept discovering more and more about the depth of the state's blues connections as he researched bands to book for the event.

"The palette has a lot more colors on it this year," Clarke said.

A little of the Blues Brothers' "Rubber Biscuit," courtesy of youtube.